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Naïve T cells were immunomagnetically isolated from umbilical cord blood and activated with anti-human CD2/CD3/CD28 beads in the presence of IL-2 alone (CD4Med) or with the addition of TGF-β and atRA (CD4TGF/atRA). As compared to CD4Med, the CD4TGF/atRA condition allowed the generation of highly suppressive CD4+CD25hiCD127−FOXP3hi iTregs. [Sci Rep]
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Researchers found that placenta-derived multipotent cells (PDMCs) significantly reduced cardiomyocyte apoptosis and reactive oxygen species production through the paracrine factors GRO-α, HGF and IL-8. The enhancement of PDMC paracrine function by laminin was mediated through αvβ3 integrin, with involvement of the signaling pathways of JNK, for GRO-α and IL-8 secretion, and PI3K/AKT, for HGF secretion. [J Cell Mol Med]
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The ex vivo generation of human red blood cells on a large scale from hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells has been considered as a potential method to overcome blood supply shortages. Scientists report that functional human erythrocytes can be efficiently produced from cord blood CD34+ cells using a bottle turning device culture system. [Stem Cells Transl Med]
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Scientists revisited the impact of cryopreservation on mesenchymal stromal cell (MSC) functionality and addressed the possibility that warming events on frozen cells rather than cryopreservation per se could impact MSC functionality. They demonstrated that freshly harvested MSCs as well as cryopreserved MSCs that were left on dry ice following step-down freezing have comparable viability, functionality and integrity. [Cytotherapy]
Abstract

Investigators examined the effects of interleukin 27 (IL-27) upon adherence, migration, and proliferation as well as the immunomodulatory effects of human placenta-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (hPMSCs). The results showed that the IL-27 receptor α chain was expressed in hPMSCs. [Immunol Res]
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The introduction of the tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI) into the treatment of patients with Ph or BCR-ABL1-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia has revolutionized the treatment of this poor prognosis acute leukemia. The combination of TKI with chemotherapy has improved response rates and allowed more patients to proceed to allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplant. [Bone Marrow Transplant]
Abstract

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Merck provided an update on two combination studies of KEYTRUDA®, the company’s anti-PD-1 therapy, in the blood cancer multiple myeloma. Merck has accepted the external Data Monitoring Committee recommendation to pause new enrollment on KEYNOTE-183 and KEYNOTE-185, two studies exploring KEYTRUDA treatment in combination with other therapies in multiple myeloma. The pause is to allow for additional information to be collected to better understand more reports of death in the KEYTRUDA groups. [Merck & Co., Inc.]
Press Release

Feinstein Institute for Medical Research Instructor Shih-Shih Chen, PhD, is continuing the institute’s tradition of innovating the diagnosis and treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) through the recognition of her research that identifies a potential new therapy target for CLL. The award was presented at the recent International Workshop on Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia for her abstract titled: “IL-4R – IL-4 axis Disruption by Ibrutinib Therapy Contributes to the Greater Vulnerability of U-CLL Clones to Loss of Microenvironmental Input.” [Feinstein Institute for Medical Research (PR Newswire Association LLC.)]
Press Release

Texas Governor Greg Abbott signed a bill allowing clinics and companies in the state to offer people unproven stem cell interventions without the testing and approval required under federal law. Like the “right to try” laws that have sprung up in more than 30 states, the measure is meant to give desperately ill patients access to experimental treatments without oversight from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. [ScienceInsider]
Editorial

Government agencies lack the funds to build platforms for data sharing and resist taking responsibility for such infrastructure. They may hope that universities will host data, but the development of institutional repositories is patchy, and to rely on them is effectively to discourage common data standards and curation. [Nature News]
Editorial